Paris fans questioned after clashes

PSG fans held by police after Ligue 1 opener while ex-Marseille coach talks to Ivorians.

Sun Aug 08 2010 14:03:30 GMT+0000

Cote d'Ivoire say they are in talks with Gili over their vacant coaching job [GALLO/GETTY]

Nine Paris St Germain supporters were held for questioning after crowd trouble around a Ligue 1 match in the French capital.

Police said on Sunday that the nine, who could face charges, were among supporters who threw flares and briefly clashed with police outside Parc des Princes before the kickoff of Saturday's match against St Etienne.

The supporters protested against an anti-violence plan by the club preventing supporters choosing their seats.

Over 200 fans were rounded up by police. Most were released almost immediately.

PSG, who have struggled for years to keep their most unruly supporters under control, beat St Etienne 3-1 in their first match in the new season to top the standings.

Gili in talks

Meanwhile former Marseille coach Gerard Gili is in talks with Cote d'Ivoire to succeed departed World Cup coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, according to the West African country's football federation.

FIF president Jacques Anoma told the Reuters news agency late last week Gili could be a good fit because he served as assistant coach for Les Elephants between 2004 and 2006.

Cote d'Ivoire have been searching for a coach since negotiations to keep Eriksson broke down because of a failure to agree on salary.

"Since he knows the place and the players, I have asked him to come," he said.

"I've told him he has an advantage compared to others in that he already knows the lay of the land."

Robinson quits

Meanwhile Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson has withdrawn from the England squad to face Hungary and retired from international football, the English Football Association (FA) said on Sunday.

The 30-year-old former Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur keeper played at the 2006 World Cup but had since slipped down the international pecking order until his call-up on Saturday.

"Only now have I been able to make this decision as previously I haven't been in contention for selection," Robinson said in a statement.

"I don't see myself as a number three or four keeper and find that role very frustrating."

Robinson made his international debut in 2003 against Australia and won 41 caps, including playing in all five of England's 2006 World Cup games in Germany.